THE BROGUES 
OF KILAVAIN GLEN 



A PLAY 



BY 

EVA WILKINS 



A. FLANAGAN COMPANY 
CHICAGO 



,.^;^n^ 



Copyrlglit, 1911 
A. FLANAGAN COMPANY 



CCID 23673 



TO 

MISS JULIA B. REED 

OF 
EATONTON, GEORGIA 



PREFACE 

A STORY entitled " The Legend of the Large Feet," by 
Miss A. A. Brown, was pubHshed in 1840 by Leavitt 
and Allen, New York, in a Gift Book. This story 
gives us the names Clonacarty and Kilavain, and con- 
tains the notion used in " The Brogues " that fairies 
may fasten on presuming mortal feet great brogues 
which may be " danced off." If this notion be not 
legendary, it is quite in the legend spirit and should, we 
think, be permitted to slip from the blue-and-gold 
covers of the old Gift Book, to " foot it foine " on the 
moonlit sward of a later day. 
Winter Park. Florida. 



DRAMATIS PERSONyE 

MORTALS 

Nellie Doyne. 

Ormond Conner, Nellie's lover ; owner of a bit of land beyond 

Clonacarty. 
Jerry Gallaher, Nellie's uncle ; tenant on Kilavain Farm and 

o'er fond o' drink. 
Rose Larissey, cousin to Ormond and a friend of Nellie's. 
Denny O'Rourke, betrothed to Rose. 
Father Joyce, a priest. 
Maids and youths of Clonacarty. 

FAIRIES 

The Queen of the Fairies. 
Jack Rush, the Queen's page. 
Thistledown, maid-of-honor to the Queen, 
Firefly 

Peata (pron. pe' ta) 
Briar, fairy youth. 
Other fairies, including one tiny and ugly, who " plays the 
trick." 



[ Fairy maids. 



SYNOPSIS 

Time: When leaves were new; but no one knows 
rightly about the year. 

Place: A glen on Kilavain Farm near the town of 
Clonacarty- 

Scene First: After a merrymaking at Uncle 
Jerry's cottage the guests pass through the moonlit 
glen of Kilavain Farm, returning to Clonacarty. Nel- 
lie and Uncle Jerry accompany their friends to the 
glen, where Nellie after taunting Ormond on his 
fear of the " good people " wilfully remains alone. 
Fairies appear and the queen's page, by appeals to 
Nellie's vanity induces her to dance with him. 
Daybreak reveals Nellie's punishment. She, however, 
recalls, " not too soon," the whispered word telling 
the " cure for such," but lest harm come to Ormond 
she determines that he shall not know the cure — not 
know that an Irishman brave and true may contend 
with the fairies and dance oif her burden. Father 
Joyce divines her thought, but promptly consents that 
Denny and Uncle Jerry shall contend, " for thryin's 
good for some." 

Scene Second: The next evening; the moonlit glen. 
Denny is humbled by Firefly, and Uncle Jerry is be- 
guiled into circling round, and stands neither for the 
family honor, nor for the " liquid gold " that he loves. 
Father Joyce, however, has arranged that Ormond 
shall reach the glen in time to dance later and because 
he is brave and true, aids him, to defeat the queen 
herself and thus releases Nellie Doyne from her great 

burden. 

7 



SOME SUGGESTIONS 

" The Brogues of Kilavain Glen "' is written for 
study in expression classes, and for presentation. The 
introductory verses, and the Hnes interpolating the 
dialogue will suggest the stage setting and the stage 
directions. The form of the play fits it for an introduc- 
tion to the study of more serious drama. It is a lesson 
in visualizing. 

An illustration showing the ancient thonged brogues 
may be found in the Century Dictionary. Light 
stringed instruments played by musicians concealed 
at the back of the glen, will make pleasing music for 
the dancing. The fixing of the brogues on Nellie's 
feet may be accomplished by the ugly little fairy, 
dressed in dark green, who carries the brogues in a 
bag slung over his back. Later, he slips the brogues 
away unobserved by the group about Nellie, and, put- 
ting them back into the bag, disappears up the glen. 

In order to introduce Irish songs, the following was 
added at the presentation of the play at Rollins College. 
Morning, Nellie is sleeping on the ring. Thistledown 
has said ; " The note !" when a maid of Clonacarty 
comes to the stile and calls : 

Ha, ha! Ha, ha! Good company awaits. 

A youth on his way to work joins the maid who, 
suddenly serious, says: 

It's Nellie Doyne was sufferin' in me dreams. 
Last night — ^alone she was. 

Youth: Alone! Not she, nor sufferin' much. Now 
sing for me. 

Maid : If you'll be singin' too. Try this. 

They sing, and if encore the youth says : 
Again ! I'd stay the day to sing with you. 

They return together to Clonacarty and Uncle Jerry 

enters. 

8 



THE BROGUES OF KILAVAIN GLEN 

SCENE FIRST 

The moonlig^ht waited at the glen's dark rim 
Until the rill cried, " Ready ! leap with me," 
Then splash they went into a deep, still pool. 
They leaped again ; the rill laughed close and low. 
The moonlight then bethought that she was shy. 
And slipped away. At once the circle marked 
By fairy tread in heart of Kilavain 
Shone white. The rill, all lonely, crept beneath 
The bridge where it was dark, and voices thin 
And high came trembling from the shadowed slopes, 
And gentle breath of night just stirred the leaves 
Still folded small and new. 

Now shouts crash in, and shatter all the sweet 
Vibrations of the glen, and human folk. 
The merry guests from Uncle Jerry's house. 
Come rushing on. They run along the path 
That from the bridge just skirts the fairy ring, 
Then, breaking at the stile, leads on to town. 
The ring looks white ; they huddle at the bridge ; 
They are afraid, and wait a braver lead. 

First Maiden. Ah, hush you, hush ! The fairy folk 
like not 
The shouts you're givin'. Leave your noise. 

Second Maiden. Yes, hush, for I've a notion, sure, 
I saw^ — 

9 



10 THE BROGUES OF KILAVAIN GLEN 

Youth. 'Tis naught you saw. Come on, come on, 

colleens. 
Rose. Ill luck it is to pass yon chill white ring 
With heart a-fear. Be waitin', Denny ; list ! 
Hear Nellie laugh, just hear. No ill can come 
To her from tremblin' fears, — to Nellie, no. 

First Maid. To Nellie Doyne ! More like she'd thry 

yon ring. 
Second Maid. A-dancin'? Sure, she has more wit 

than that! 
Youth. Oh, see her come! Not caught, but Or- 
mond's close. 
Make way for both. Ay, now we're seein' sport ! 
Denny. " Be stoppin' at the bridge," your uncle 
calls ; 
He's spent his breath, and you're not heedin' yet. 
Rose. You'll not be racin' by their very ring! 
Nellie. And who'll be darin' now to follow me 
Around the ring, and up the glen ? — Come on. 
Ormond. 'Tis I'll be darin', sure! I'm close. 
Rose. Come, follow me along the nearer side. 
And we will head her off, ere harm befall. 
A Number. Lead on. 

Rose. She's at the pool. — Don't fling the water, 
child !— 
Oh, Ormond, quick! jump back! 
Nellie. He is afraid. 

Ormond. 'Tis where good people drink ; you see the 
light 
That flashes from it now. 
Nellie. You'd head me off, — you, there with Rose? 

Well, see! 
A Number. Oh, stop ! Not that way — ^no ! 



THE BROGUES OF KILAVAIN GLEN 11 

Rose. The mischief's done ; she's on the ring-. 

Uncle Jerry. 'Tis at the bridge I am, so never fear. 
It's sthrength I'm nadin' if 'tis sthrength I give — 
A drop of this before — a fairish jump, 
Me child ! 'Tis on the path ye are, and safe. 

Rose. Now quickly down the glen. We should be 
home. 

Nellie. Not caught ! Is Ormond anywhere about ? 
Nowhere at all. 

Uncle Jerry. It's aisy on this stump. I'm nadin' 
rest. 
Such clatter of good-night ! — Here, stop a bit. 
Now listen ! NelHe Doyne did clane outdance 
The maids of Clonacarty, yis, and took 
The prize. A pig it was, and I by rights 
Won six, a-gittin' him to Kilavain. 
The fairy folks moint dance with Nellie Doyne 
And suffer no disgrace. (Ill luck it is 
To spake loike that of such. This kapes 'em off.) — 
You do be ling'rin', Rose? And Denny waits 
For you, and Ormond waits for me — to go. 

Rose. And we should follow on. — Yes, Nellie dear, 
We've had a merry time, but now, good-night. 
'Tis back to Clonacarty I would be, 
And home would you be goin'. Yes, 'tis late; 
There goes your uncle, so good-night again. 

Denny. Will Ormond now be goin' home with you, 
And comin' back alone. Miss Doyne? 

Ormond. He will, for sure, if Nellie Doyne per- 
mits, — 
You do permit? 

Nellie. Oh, no, I'll go the little way alone. 
Good-night to all, and Rose, good-night to you, 



12 THE BROGUES OF KILAVAIN GLEN 

Gcx>d-night. — 

They leave you, Ormond, in this fearsome place ! 
Now haste, I'm waitin' till you're safe, quite safe 
Without the glen. It's lone you'll be beyond 
The town in reachin' Connor Farm. 

Ormond. Oh, Nellie Doyne, you must believe I'm 
not 
Afraid! I am afraid, 'tis thrue I am. 
For little people have strange ways, and yet 
To care for you I'd stay, and they rnight turn 
Me cold, and put on me the marks of death. 

Nellie. We're hearin' music? No, the wind, the 
wind. 

Good-night. Perhaps — I've said I'd go alone; 
I shall. Good-night. 

Ormond. Yes, go, but; call to me " I'm safe," when 
you 
Have crossed the bridge. I'll go so gladly then, 
As 'tis you can't abide meself at all. 

Nellie. You've said to me, " I am afraid," and all 
Of Clonacarty thinks you are afraid — 
You heard that shout, heard Rose's Denny shout? 
I think I hate him ! Hear that tauntin' call ! 
Beyond the hill they've passed. How still the glen ! 

Ormond. You'll sure be goin' now ! 

Nellie. Beyond the stile. Perchance some maid is 
not 
So far but she may wait for you. 

Ormond. Oh, Nellie! — Well, I've hope the saints 
may give 
To me the chance of bein' brave for you. 

Nellie. Again I say good-night. 

Ormond. I may be waitin' — here beyond the stile ? 



THE BROGUES OF KILAVAIN GLEN 13 

Nellie. I do not wish it so, but since you're bent 
On bein' brave — the wall protectin' you — 
I promise, sure, that when you've passed the old 
White hawthorn tree, I'll run and run. 
Voices. I'll run and run. 
Ormond. It was the wind. It's well that you should 

go. 
Nellie. Indeed! When you have passed the thorn 

I'll go. 
Ormond. Good-night. Your lover thrue I am, as 

well you know. Good-night again. 
Nellie. And are you safe, quite safe? 
Ormond. I'm at the thorn tree, now, and wait. 
Nellie. I said beyond the thorn. 
Ormond. Good-night. 

Nellie. I just could hear his voice. — Night's breath 
is still. — 
Me heart's not still. I'll run. 
Voices. I'll run; I'll run. 

Nellie. Oh, hush, you wind! It's wool that winds 
me feet. 
I'm not afraid, and yet I'm sinkin' down. 

The shadows gather close about the maid, 
But up the glen she sees the fine-leafed trees, 
And e'en the tiny ferns, that crowd the foot 
Of each cascade. And all as bright as day. 
A breath of wind, that brings a firm, low pulse, 
Sweet-toned, confuses, blends the outlined leaves, 
And Nellie rubs her eyes, then looks again. 
And sees the fairy folk come down the glen. 
They quickly reach the smooth white place, and skip 
In gayest measure. Faster fly their feet. 



14 THE BROGUES OF KILAVAIN GLEN 

Until the music lighter leaps, then quick 

They sink to earth, with hands upraised, and eyes 

That search the glen's far rim, 

Adown the steep white way, the ferns just stirred, 
The dewdrops flashing at her foot's light touch. 
The star above her brow more bright than all. 
Swift comes the fairy queen. Above the ring 
She waits, and all the troop before her dance. 
At last they tire, and she permits them rest. 
By twos and threes they drop, and lightly swing 
Bright petaled fans. 

And Nellie knows that all the while they know 
She crouches on the path, and waits their look. 
At last they turn, pretend surprise, with wee 
And wicked fingers point, and laugh, and peer. 
The queen turns not her haughty eyes, but sends 
Jack Rush, the page, to speak to Nellie Doyne. 
As in a dream the maiden rises when 
The page comes close, and bows so low to her. 
Yet smiles just like the rest. And as he talks 
He smiles, the mortal maiden is so vain, 
The queen disturbed that mortal be so fair ; 
The royal star shows this by glints of green. 
And anger shows by flash of ruby red. 

Jack Rush. A greeting, mortal maid. No fear of us 
In heart of Nellie Doyne? No fear? Ah, none! 
We hear, fair Nellie Doyne, that you can dance 
With step so light, with feet so small, a queen — 
Our queen — might envy you. 

Nellie. Oh, no, most noble sir, Fve not a foot 
So small, oh, no — The star ! I fear your queen. 



THE BROGUES OF KILAVAIN GLEN 15 

Jack. Ah, well, perhaps the smallest mortal f(X)t; 
I'll wager that is so. 

Nellie. It's easy seein' that they're not so large — 
You may be knowin' why your people laugh ! 

Jack. They say that Nellie Doyne can quite out- 
dance 
The maids of Clonacarty. That is true? 

Nellie. Quite thrue. I did outdance them all. 

Jack. Indeed ! And would you dance with any one 
Of us? 

Nellie. I'll thry ; for sure ; I'm not afraid at all ! 
I'll thry with one who's not so grand to see ; 
I'll dance with you. — The queen permits? 

Thistledozmi. Ha, Ha! You did not think me near, 
Sir Jack. 
So you're not " grand to see " ! 

Jack. Away! The queen would speak with you; 
away ! — 
Perhaps for maid so fair the queen does choose 
A measure, bright and swift. We'll see. 

Nellie. A measure that I love. 

Thistledown. Aside, Sir Page! The queen this 
message sends : 
" Bethink you, maid. Should you know one who can 
Outdo yourself in grace, in lightness, strength, 
Then do not dance to-night." 

Nellie. There is no one at all. 

Thistledown. I'll tell her majesty. 

Queen. The maid recalls no one? No one? 

Thistledown. Not any one at all, your majesty. 

Queen. Then dance she should! 'Tis well that she 
should dance. 



16 THE BROGUES OF KILAVAIN GLEN 

Thistledown. 'Tis well that you should dance, the 
queen has said. 
She waves her hand ; your place is on the ring. 
And, Jack, you dance with her, the queen permits. 
Upon the ring ; the music says begin. 
Briar. The maid is fair to see. 
Peata. She dances well. 

Thistledown. Speak soft ! She dances well, oh, yes. 
Briar. The queen is pleased ; why " soft " ? 
Peata. But not for long. She'd speak to Thistle- 
down. 
Thistledown. I shall return to spoil the dance, you'll 
see. — 
Your majesty? ... I heed you well. The maid 
Will be more humble when I've said the word. 
The word, that's all, and she will dance but ill. 
And now I go? — 

Oh, maid of Kilavain, you're short of breath. 
Nellie. Ah, yes! so short! 
Thistledown. Your heart, poor child, your heart 

will burst. 
Nellie. Ah, yes ! the pain ! 
Thistledown. Your foot — the left — it weighs like 

lead. 
Nellie. Ah, yes ! me foot's like lead ! 
Thistledozum. The other foot like lead ; both feet like 

lead. 
Nellie. Now both like lead; how can I move! Ah, 
me! 
Be comin' now — Oh, Ormond, come! 
Jack. She falls ! — Alas, poor maid ! 
Thistledown. Oh, hush ! Your pity hide. These 
shining drops 



THE BROGUES OF KILAVAIN GLEN 17 

Will give her sleep. Quite dim the light is here, 
But not about the queen. How beautiful 

She is ! — She's leading up the glen. Oh, haste ! 

Jack, He plays the trick, who waits there at the 
pool, 
But I can save the maid; I know the word 
To whisper in her ear. 

Thistledown. Poor maid! — Yes, say the word; I'll 
hide you, so. 
Jack. Good Thistledown! When she awakes she will 
Recall what I have said ; but not too soon. 
Oh, no ! 

Thistledown. Now come. A bird note hailing dawn, 
and we're 
Snuffed out. — The note! 

The dawn comes white, and other birds make stir 
Of sleepy song. The dawn comes red, and all 
The birds awake and sing. A step comes slow. 
An erring step amid the perfect things 
Of morn. 

Uncle Jerry. It's sthrength that's naded sure, and 
sthrength has come. 
Loike ony boat this bridge comes up, goes down. 
The path's more quiet loike; I'd better land. — 
Ah, Nellie dear, me sister's child that's dead, 
I said I'd look to you. That's what I've done. 
I should have come to you and stayed. — Me head ! 
This sthream, perchance, may cool me head a bit. 
It's foine, it does no harm at all ; again ! 
Ale skin's that tough, no harm at all — outside. — 
Now loike the child's all safe aslape with Rose. 



18 THE BROGUES OF KILAVAIN GLEN 

Ye saints in heaven, see ! She is aslape 

Within the ring. — 

Shisht, Nelhe, wake ye ! Come to uncle, come ! — 

She don't appear to be approachin' fast. 

The saints be with me ! She's me sister's child, 

I'll go to her. — 

Now, wake ye, Nellie, wake, yer uncle's here. 

Come home ; herself* she waits to fade the pigs. — 

Her pretty head's a droopin' loike a babe's. — 

Oh, child, just wake, ye naden't work at all. 

Herself '11 not be askin' ye to work, 

Just come ye trippin' on yer little fate. 

And rest loike ony lady. Wake, me child ! 

Perhaps ye cannot wake within the ring. 

I'll carry ye ; the path is near. The path 

That's ladin' home — ye hear me, poor colleen? — 

Oh, Holy Saints, see this ! Her fate ! the size ! 

When looked ye at such brogues on little maid ! 

I'll not be liftin' such ; the brogues must dhrag. — 

Now wake, the path's at hand. No, wait a bit. 

They may go down, — be mendin' while ye slape. 

Nellie. Me breath, me feet, so tired ! 

Uncle Jerry. Och, tired, indade! It's very tired 
they look. 
Now dhrag 'em forward — ^there. Perhaps they may 
Drop off — in part, at laste. 

Nellie. Oh, Uncle Jerry, see ! Me own small feet — 
They've gone. It's fairy feet I've now. 

Uncle Jerry. Not fairy fate — ^oh, no ! But get them 
off 
The ring. Perhaps — 

*Herself : Wife, housewife, the mother. 



THE BROGUES OF KILAVAIN GLEN 19 

Nellie. Well, there, they're on the path at last ! You 
see 
They're fast as ever. Uncle dear, it's just 
Great brogues they are ! Fast on ; yet thry your knife. 

Uncle Jerry. Kape quiet just a bit. One thong's cut 
loose. 

Nellie. Now fast it is, and tighter than before ! 

Uncle Jerry. Bedad, it is ! I'll thry the mate. Kape 
sthill. 

Nellie. The thryin's of no use, no use at all. 
With fairy youth last night I danced, and on 
The fairy ring. 

Uncle Jerry. Och, silly child! the luck ye may ex- 
pect! 

Nellie. And be deservin' of it all. 

Uncle Jerry. Well, no, not all the fate ye've on. 

Nellie. Not just for dancin' ; no, 'twas worse than 
that. 
Good Ormond treated sO' by likes of me ! 
Me heart will break for that. I must away ! 
He might be comin' now. No sight of him ? 
Oh, no, he'll never come, and never bide 
With such when he does come. 

Uncle Jerry. A bit ago ye gave him wan swate kiss. 

Nellie. It's none at all I gave ! 

Uncle Jerry. It's back he'll be, now sure. 

Nellie. And I'll not want him back to see these feet. 
I just remember now, the fairy-tricked 
Do bring the worst of luck to those they love. 
You do not show surprise when I say this — 
To those they love. 

Uncle Jerry. Surprise! Colleen, the little birds do 

know. — 



20 THE BROGUES OF KILAVAIN GLEN 

Tlie wit o'that ! — There, child, ye must forgive 
Yer uncle's little joke. He knows how 'tis. 
Och, smile a bit. Yer pretty face '11 win 
A mon so tall, and near of sight he'll not 
Be seein' that yer fate's so very large. 

Nellie. Oh, uncle dear, you thry to make me smile. 

Uncle Jerry. I'm thinkin' Ormond's one to love ye 
thrue, 
On fate of ony sort. 

Nellie. An ugly wife for Ormond ! Take me home. 
And there be hidin' me. 

Uncle Jerry. Thry standin' — so. Me shoulder '11 do 
for staff — 
Now stop. This stumblin' will not do at all. 
It's not for common mortals' dalin', this. 
I'll take ye home, and go for Father Joyce ; 
It's help he has when ony trouble comes. 
The Father could be walkin' all the way 
To heaven steppin' nately on his own 
Good dades, as well ye know. 

Nellie. Yes, uncle, go. The pain's that bad a rest 
I must be takin' ; near the path I'll wait. 
I have no fear, for sure the thing is done. 

Uncle Jerry. Sit here. The stump will be a-restin' 
ye. — 
Now up the glen the short way to the praist. — 
Ye hear me stumblin' at the sthream? Ye'll not 
Be fearin' long. But soft ! a whistlin' by 
I'm hearin'. — Ormond ! Praise the saints ! 

Nellie. Oh, some one comes ! The look of me ! I'll 
dhrag 
Meself behind the stump ; me feet do show ! 



THE BROGUES OF KILAVAIN GLEN 21 

Ormond. The day! The honest sunshine that I 
love! 
Sweet Nellie may be kind to me by day. 
The moonlight was in fault ; a teasin' light 
For fair caprice, and ways of fairy folk. 
I'll go direct to her, to Nellie Doyne, 
So good, so merry, and so light of foot — 
Ho, ho! Some fellow's sHpped his mighty brogues. 
The size of him ! Ye saints, the size of him ! 
They move! The fairies are about — 
Oh ! Nellie, sweetheart, rise ! What troubles you ? 
These brogues ! — what do they here ? 

Nellie. Just restin' here, you see. There's naught 
to do; 
Me Uncle Jerry '11 be returnin' soon. 

Ormond. They're fast! The little people did the 
thing. 
I've heard of such before — 'twas long ago. 
Perhaps they will come off. 

Nellie. They'll not come off. To them me feet will 
grow. 
A cripple shall I always be, and bring 
111 luck to those who love me thrue. 

Ormond. Take heart, colleen; there's sure a cure for 
such. 
The priest might know — 

Nellie. There is no cure. 'Tis patience, only, that 
The saints can bring; me punishment is just. 
Now go. 

Ormond. The thought of you ! I'll not be goin' yet. 

Nellie. More ugly shall I grow as years go by. 
And heavier'll be me feet as years go by. 

Ormond. Oh, ugly you can never be, perhaps 



22 THE BROGUES OF KILAVAIN GLEN 

You may be crippled, then a man you'll need 
Who's strong with love. No more have I that's worth 
Your takin', Nellie Doyne — just love. 

Nellie. With these you'd love me ! See, just see the 
look! 

Ormond. 'Twas not the dancin' maid I loved, but 
just 
Yourself. Now rise, me little one. 

Nellie. It's very good you are to me. 

Ormond. I may not bear the pain ! There, now 
you're up. 

Nellie. Oh, Ormond ! dim it is, yet in me sleep 
I think the way to loose the brogues was said. 

Ormond. They do sometimes reveal. Oh, think 
what 'twas ! 
You do recall ? There's somthin' I may do ? 

Nellie. A man ... I must be thinkin' . . . 
thinkin' — ah ! — 
You go at once, and get good Father Joyce ! 

Ormond. Yes, yes, I go. Just rest you on this 
stump. 
No hurry ; careful ! Now you'll rest at ease. 

Nellie. Not up the glen ! Go on to uncle's house ; 
The priest consults with him ere now. 

Ormond. Are you afraid? It's all alone you'll be. 

Nellie. Oh, no, not any fear at all ; but haste ! 
No wait. If uncle's not at home, go on. 
Me uncle might go round to meet the priest; 
The glen's too steep for him to climb — ^with speed. 
Return the glen way, sure. 

Ormond. Oh, yes, returnin' by the glen. Good-bye. — 
You rest at ease? 



THE BROGUES OF KILAVAIN GLEN 23 

• Nellie. I'll rest if you but haste. — And now he's 
gone, 
Deceived again by Nellie Doyne. Alas ! 
"A man who's brave and thrue may break the spell " — 
He's that—" and only such may loose the brogues." 
So said the page ; and yet ! . . . 
It is meself must see the good priest first, 
For it's no risk shall Ormond take for me, 
No risk at all. He's not to know of this ; 
Not take these brogues away. — But oh, the pain ! — 
Who comes? 

Uncle Jerry. Take heart, me child, it's wid the 
praist I come. 
Just skippin' down the glen, for sure, we are. — 
No stumblin' at the sthream, good Father Joyce. 

Father Joyce. 'Twas you, me mon ; I am too spry 
for that! 

Uncle Jerry. Just see me jump! 

Father Joyce. The water's clane; no harm! — So 
here's the maid. 
Good-mornin', daughter, sure there's help ; be brave. 
Just let me steady this gossoon a bit. — Hold fast. — 
'Tis just the thrick of little people, child. 

Nellie. Good-mornin', Father Joyce, it's kind you are 
To come. It was revealed — the cure. 

Uncle Jerry. Ye were desavin' me ! 

Nellie. I did but now recall. But, Father Joyce, 
It's harm might come to Or — Should — 

Father Joyce. I think I understand. No harm 
you'd bring. — 
Some friends approach. 

Nellie. Ah, voices ! Uncle, step before the brogues. 



24 THE BROGUES OF KILAVAIN GLEN 

Father Joyce. 'Tis Rose and Denny. See, the stile's 
too high 
For Rose to climb without much help. 
Denny. 'Tis thrue; oh, yes, you are more fair by 

day. 
Rose. Now, Denny, sure, more fair by day? 
Father Joyce. Good-mornin', fair's the day ; for you 

'tis fair. 
Rose. Ah! 

Denny. Good-momin', Father Joyce. 
Father Joyce. Your friend, sure, bides with heavy 
heart the while ; 
The great, thonged brogues are fast upon her fate. 
The little people put them on the child. 
They do when mortals are o'erbold, or have 
Displeased them in some other way. Be kind 
To Nellie Doyne. 

Rose. Oh, Nellie dear, a shame to them, for sure 1 
Denny. Indeed, it's awful havin' such! 
Denny and Rose. Ha, ha! Ha, ha! 
Rose. Forgive us, Nellie, please ! So queer they are 
At first. They're on for just a Httle while. 

Father Joyce. Just that. The way to shlip the 
brogues was said. — 
Rapate, rapate, me child! 

Nellie. A man who's brave and thrue — 

Father Joyce. And Irish, too. At laste that would 

be well. 
Nellie. May break the spell, and free me from the 
brogues. 
This man so very brave and thrue must quite 
Outdance a fairy maid — Oh, Father Joyce, 
Do not permit — 



THE BROGUES OF KILAVAIN GLEN 25 

Father Joyce. In sthress the saints do lift, a bit for 
such. 
The thrial comes to-night at twelve, if fair ; 
The maiden suffers. 'Twill be fair, I think. 

Rose. Now, Denny, you're to dance. 'Twas you 
who did 
Most twit me cousin Ormond on his fears. 
Now prove that you've no fears. 

Denny. I'll thry the dancin'. — Father, you permit? 
I see that Ormond's not about to take 
The honor. 

Nellie. It's nothin' that he knows at all of this. 
He'll know in time; oh, yes, in time — enough; 
It's Father Joyce will see to that. 

Father Joyce. I'll see to that. 
I'm thinkin', Denny, good may come to you 
If you're for thryin' ; thryin's good for some. 

Uncle Jerry. I'm thinkin' there's another mon should 
thry; 
No Denny burstin' with consate should dance; 
Meself can foot it foine ; I'm not so old ; 
I'd great skill once. The father '11 tell you so. 
Father Joyce. Yes, once. 
Uncle Jerry. The word you give that I may dance? 

I'll win. 
Father Joyce. You'd better not, me friend. The 
fiery gold 
That's melted in your cup has tempted you 
These many years. You could have none o' that. 
By moonrise, mon, you w^ould not feel so young. 
Uncle Jerry. 'Tis certain now that I should dance 
and prove 
That melted gold ('Tis foine, that name you give!) 



26 THE BROGUES OF KILAVAIN GLEN 

Is good for ony mon. I'll stand for that, 

And for me fam'ly name. The fairy brogues — 

I see 'em rollin' off of Nellie now ! 

Father Joyce. Well, thry. Perhaps 'tis well that 
you should thry. 

Nellie. You're all good friends to me. Oh, yes, 
you're good. 
But Denny must not thry, 'twill bring to him 
111 luck, to Rose ill luck. And, uncle dear. 
You could not dance; I know what they can do. 
Good uncle, take me home, so tired I am ; 
Besides — enough, I am so tired. 

Uncle Jerry, She fears them yit, the people of the 
glen. 
The poor colleen ! 

Father Joyce. Here, men, a chair, loike this, of 
hands and arms. 
Now gently lift. — There, child, you've had no hurt. 

Uncle Jerry. We dance. I'm first, and there'll be 
nothin' more. 
It's small consate ye'll have when J am done. 
You dancin' Denny, there ! 

Father Joyce. I am returnin' by the glen, me child. 
Kape up your heart; the end's not far away. — 
At moonrise then, we'll all be here. No more, 
You understand. 

Denny. But Ormond, Father Joyce? 

Father Joyce. But Ormond? Yes, of course, lave 
that to me. 
Good-mornin', all. 

Nellie. Oh, Father Joyce, for just a little way 
Please come with us. You will ? Oh, many thanks ! — 
Yes, Rose, it's kind you are to cover me 



THE BROGUES OF KILAVAIN GLEN 27 

Great feet. Your apron's wide, indeed! 

Uncle Jerry. You'll not be lookin' up the glen; 

home's yon. 
Father Joyce. Just hear the birds ! I heard one 

singin' clare, 
" There's hope, swate Nellie Doyne." 
All. Ha, ha! 



SCENE SECOND 

In the moonlit glen the next evening. 

Father Joyce. All here ? Young folks ? And Jerry 
too — best clothes! — 
Some tight are they, me mon ? Don't rise for me, 
Poor Nellie, child. Who's weepin' at the stile? 
Denny. It's Rose, lest I should come to harm. 
Father Joyce. All here, and with good heart. Of 
coorse, you've that. 
These small, wise people dale out cunnin' cures. 
But no great mischief is permitted them. 

Uncle Jerry. Your kinsman, Nellie, should be danc- 
in' first. 
'Tis most the time yon moon rides white and high. 
Denny. For Nellie Doyne then Ormond's not to 
dance ? 
Or is he standin' there beyond the stile ? 

Nellie. The hour— perhaps he does not know the 
hour. 
We must not wait and lose the chance ; oh, no ! 

Father Joyce. We'll not. And are we ready for the 
call? 



28 THE BROGUES OF KILAVAIN GLEN 

Rose. Oh, Father Joyce, consent that Denny thries 
At once. The fairy folks may take offense 
If you permit the older man on first. 
It's none shall say that Denny does wish that. 

Father Joyce. I do consint. — And, Jerry, you must 
yield. 

Denny. I'm ready, Father Joyce. 

Father Joyce. Good people, hear ! Two men who're 
Irish sure. 
Both brave, both thrue — 'tis thought they're that — 

await. 
They seek the chance to dance away the brogues 
That cripple now the fate of Nellie Doyne. 
If each be thrue, and seek not fame the night, 
But just would help the maid, be very kind — 
In ony case be kind. I now command 
That you appear. 

Uncle Jerry. It's moonbeams in a dance! No, glen 
folks come, 
And loike the wind ; a slim gossoon's ahead. 
And he's for spakin' to the praist. 

Nellie. The queen's not there. 

Uncle Jerry. She's there; from nowhere she just 
came. 

Jack. A mortal is to dance away the brogues. 
That now do burden Nellie Doyne ; we hear. 

Fairies. We hear ! We hear ! 

Father Joyce. Aright, Sir Page. 

Denny. Her majesty, the queen, will she consent 
To dance with me? I'm Irish, thrue, and brave. 

Fairies. Oh, oh ! 

Thistledown. But see her star blaze red ! 



THE BROGUES OF KILAVAIN GLEN 29 

Jack. The queen! You asked the queen to name 
the maid 
Who'd dance. 'Twas that you asked. — 
But point her out, your majesty. This one? 
It's Firefly who's to dance. Alas, poor man ! 

Denny. Your servant, lady. May we now begin? 

Fireiiy. So grand a youth ! Oh, yes, begin. 

Briar. How fine his bow ! 

Peata. Just try again — again! 

Thistledoivn. Just once again — yet lower still. 

Fairies. Ha, ha ! Ha, ha ! 

Jack. Our Firefly's done for him! 

Rose. What was it that she threw? He does not 
move. 

Briar. Oh, Firefly, dance! 

Thistledown. To see her dance so lightly o'er the oaf 
The queen herself must smile. 

Fireiiy. What's this ? — the youth who was to dance 
with me? 
Oh, take the thing away ! 

Jack. Now drag him off ; take hold, 

Peata. What fun ! And shall we pinch ? 

Fairies. We shall. 

Rose. Oh, Denny, come to me ! It's dazed and hurt, 
He is ! — Poor boy ! 

Jack. Good father, did you say that two were here 
To dance away the brogues ? 

Uncle Jerry. Aye, sure he did, and something more 
this dance 
Is loike to prove. — Your pardon, Father Joyce, 
But I must have a drop. 

Father Joyce. No more, at all. It will undo you, 
mon. 



30 THE BROGUES OF KILAVAIN GLEN 

Uncle Jerry. I'll lave the bottle handy on the ring. 
The thrial : ready sure I am. 

Briar. But hist! I'll taste — oh, fire! I'm burning 
up! 

The pool ! that Jerry does drink fire. 

Fairies. Ho, ho ! Ho, ho ! Have more ; yes do ! 

Nellie. It is no use, good uncle, none at all. 
Oh, do not thry ! 

Uncle Jerry. Let be, your Uncle Jerry's goin' to 
dance. 
But look you there ! me bottle's overturned ! 
The waste of it I 

Jack. Who is to dance, your majesty? This one? — ■ 
Wee Peata is to dance. 

Peata. I thank the queen. And here's the man so 
brave ? 
A dancer ! Yes, the music shall be quick. 

Uncle Jerry. It's your fair self must be excusin' me, 
If I'm not bo win' down me head so low, 
Me heart is at your fate, and ever must 
These eyes kape turnin' toward your own swate face. 

Fairies. " Kape turnin' " ! Ah, ha, ha ! 

Peata. And that he shall. I'll circle round the man. 

Jack. The music, please, for Jerry Gallagher. 

Briar. His step's not old. 

Firefly. Our Peata winds him up. Oh, see the fun ! 

Briar. He's clutching at the air! 

Fairies. " Kape turnin'," man. Ha, ha ! Ha, ha ! 

Jack. Now over, over — ^gone! His legs yet move. 

Uncle Jerry. Just kape it up, fair maid, I'm goin' 
yit, 
I'm Irish yit, and thrue — maybe I'm that — 
But sober, sure. 



THE BROGUES OF KILAVAIN GLEN 31 

Firefly. Stop laughing, Peata, stop; you will forget 
The step. 
Jack. He's looking for the bottle. Now he's still. 
Nellie. Oh, Father Joyce, it's dead he is! 
Father Joyce. No, child, not dead at all. Alas, poor 
mon. 
They roll him to the path. Now we take hold. 
Where's Denny ? — Here, step up and help a bit. — 
Not Nellie! Back, me daughter, back! 

Firefly. Oh, see the feet, the dainty, dainty feet 
Of NeUie Doyne! Ha, ha! Ha, ha! 
Fairies. Oh, ho ! Oh, ho ! 
Nellie. Oh, hide me, Father Joyce! 
Peata. And when those feet have grown, where will 

they be? 
Thistledown. The queen ! She's looking at her own 
wee feet — 
But hush ! who comes ? 
Nellie. His voice! it's comin' near! — Oh, Ormond, 
why. 
Why did you come? 

Ormond. Be heedin' me ; I did mistake the hour — 
Father Joyce. Mistake ! I named the hour ; you hit 
it square. 
It's two have danced ; you see the brogues are fast. 
Ormond. I heard that Denny was to dance. — My 
thanks. — 
I may go on at once, good Father Joyce? 
Nellie. — Oh, Ormond, do not dance ! 
Ormond. No, Nellie, no ; this dancin' hinder not. 
Uncle Jerry. Me sense has come, at laste a bit has 
come. 
So Ormond is to thry.— Well, dance, me lad, 



32 THE BROGUES OF KILAVAIN GLEN 

But don't be lookin' at the beauty there. 
Ormond. And Uncle Jerry danced! 
Uncle Jerry. I must rapate, don't look at all upon 
Her pretty face; just dance. 

Ormond. Oh, no, be just attendin' to the dance. 
Some other time fair Nellie's face I'll see. 
I now may go ? 

Uncle Jerry. It's very young he is ; not wise, loike 
me. 
Loike me, alas ! I may be learnin' yit ; 
" I'm not so old." 

Father Joyce. Yes, go, me son, the saints do know 

your heart. 
Ormond. Oh, Nellie, I must dance. You heed the 

priest. 
Jack. Make way. Who dances with this youth? 
Peata. A splendid youth ! Think you the queen has 
fear 
That he — 

Firefly. Oh, hush ! She stands, she sees us all. 
Queen. The queen will dance. 
Fairies. Most gracious queen ! 
Uncle Jerry. Oh, worse the luck ! Me child is faint- 
in'!— Child! 
Nellie. Not faintin', no ! Your thought for him. 
Peata. Such music ! How I'd love to try ! 
Jack. A wondrous dance! He does not see the 
queen. 
But just that mortal maid. 

Thistledown. Yet she would win a glance, the 

. queen. 
Briar. The boy looks spent; I'm glad. 



THE BROGUES OF KILAVAIN GLEN 33 

Firefly. The priest! His hands reach out, and do 
revive 
The youth. 

Thistledown. His look works mischief to our queen. 

Firefly. I hate the priest. 

Jack. The queen! she droops! Now silence, all; 
she speaks. ^ 

Queen. The lad's proved brave and true, as you 
were sure 
He would, wise Father Joyce. When such are spent, 
Help comes. We know it will, but joy to tease 
The other sort, and pop their bubbles out; 
And so we test them all. — 

Maid Nellie, come ; this youth would have you near. 
Be not afraid, for love has set you free ; 
The brogues no more do burden your light feet. 

Rose. 'Tis thrue, — oh, Nellie dear! 

Nellie. I did forget the brogues ! I go? 

Father Joyce. Yes, go, me child; all's well. 

Ormond. And may I kiss your hand, most gracious 
queen ? 

Queen. 'Tis not permitted mortal man. Take you 
The hand of Nellie Doyne. We must away ; 
The dawn is near. 

Fairies. Away, away, away ! the dawn is here. 

End. 



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